Chapter 36 "Ketsu Mitsukai: Part II"

Chapter 36
Ketsu Mitsukai
Part II

“Hey, Kawaii!”

“What do you want?”

“Oof! What’s with your tone? Being ungrateful after what I did for you?” Hikyou gives a lighthearted chuckle with one of his eyes closed. “You realize that I visit everyday, right?”

He snickers when he does not get any response from the Fifth Universe. “Alright, this time, I’m about to take back Dark Angel.”

“You said what?”

“He’s almost at the age when he will be ready to protect the Dark and Light Gods. You know Tezuka and Ryu aren’t getting any younger, right?”

“Dark Angel was my idea.” Kawaii swoops right in front of Hikyou. “You’re taking him away from the only family he has ever known.”

“He won’t be alone! Katja will go with him,” Hikyou says with a shrug.

“You know Knapp won’t let you do what you want.”

“The Universe Warrior at your command? I almost forgot about him. Sooner or later he will have to let him go either way.” Double God squats down to Kawaii’s height. “If he does, what will you do? Challenge me?”

Kawaii is glaring at him.

“Well, then! If you don’t mind, I’m going to pay them a visit just with my remaining power,” Hikyou says cheerfully.

“Light and Dark Gods will challenge you one day,” Kawaii snaps. “They will take this universe back. Your so-called Angels that you created won’t do a damn thing for you.”

~*~

“Huh? Hikyou-sama wants to meet me?” Ketsu asks as he points at himself. He blushes lightly as he glances around at the Dark Team. “R-really? I-is that ok with you?”

Clear manages to force a smile on her face. “Why, of course yes! We don’t have any problem!”

“With one condition…” Kawaii adds. “We’re to meet him on an uninhabited planet. Just right outside the solar system in the Primera Galaxy. As long as it’s on the way to Earth.”

Ketsu can clearly tell that nobody, except Katja, is too thrilled to see Hikyou-sama. Katja, on the other hand, is pretty excited because she has heard so many stories about him - even negative ones. He says softly, “I mean… If that’s ok with everyone.”

“Yeah, we’re good!” Gules awkwardly gives him a thumb-up.

Ketsu knows that that does not really help at all. The Dark Team has always disliked Hikyou. “Are you sure…?”

“Hikyou-sama is a good guy. We know that for sure,” Knapp assures. He wraps his scarf around his neck before he continues, “It’s just… He made a lot of bad choices. He is…”

“Lazy,” Logy adds.

“Arrogant,” Jade says.

“Smug.” Johnny yawns.

“That’s enough, all of you!” Knapp yells.

Ketsu laughs nervously. He notices that Ash has opened the door for him so he takes a few steps backward until he leaves the room, mumbling a ‘thank-you’ to the computer.

~*~

PLANET KIGAIS

The planet where Hikyou asked the Dark Team to meet is one of the largest in the entire universe. Even the size of Earth is like a pixel to this planet. Ironically, the sun within the same system is one of the smallest yet brightest in the universe.

“Even though this planet is in the habitable zone, there is no life here. I scanned the entire world for life and discovered nothing,” Ash finishes.

“Okay, now what?” Clear asks as she turns to Knapp. “Are we going to wait for Hikyou-sama? For how long if you know?”

Knapp shrugs his shoulders. “Honestly, that’s a good question. Kawaii would have shown up by now as well but I haven’t seen him recently. Hey Jade, how long does the amount of food we have last?”

“I’d say two weeks,” Jade answers.

“Damn. Okay, we leave in one week for the closest planet. Even if Hikyou-sama doesn’t show up.”

“He will show up,” Katja says with confidence. “Saw it in one of my visions last night. I’m going to have to say it… It is going to be a mess.”

“Mess? How?” Ketsu asks.

“All I can say is that… you, my brother, will go all-out,” she answers.

Ketsu raises an eyebrow. Is she meant to be joking? Normally, it would make sure if it was my father who would do it. He did it all the time with the enemies.

“Worry not. Nobody will die,” Katja giggles, but no one else finds it to be funny.

“O-okay,” Johnny says drowsily. 

~*~

THREE DAYS LATER

“Hikyou-sama still hasn’t shown up?” Logy asks as he, lying on the rocky ground, pulls one of his knees to his chest, trying to stretch his back. “Not even Kawaii?”

“Nope. I honestly don’t know what the hell we are doing here for,” Knapp says irritatedly. He is just sitting on the ground and pulling the universe energy into his open hand but not without a bored look on his face.

Logy sits up and then crawls over to him. He asks using only his voice, “So, what do you want to do now?”

Knapp remembers that everyone is still doing their own things. Half of them are still in the spaceship while others are outside doing their own training.

“How about a kiss?” He asks with a big grin. He opens his arms wide for the hot deaf guy to hug.

Logy gives him a quick kiss on the Universe Warrior’s lips. He tries to pull back but Knapp quickly wraps his arms around the other’s waist.

You’re such a tease. You know I want more than just a peck. Knapp openly complains in Logy’s head. He carefully places him on the ground on the top. They kiss again but deeper this time. Their tongues fighting for dominance.

Logy shivers at Knapp’s touch when he feels a hand slipping under his shirt.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect to see two lovebirds.”

The Universe Warrior breaks the kiss faster than anyone can say Fifth Universe. As soon as he follows someone else’s voice, he exclaims, “Hikyou-sama!”

Logy’s head was very warm from the kiss but now that Hikyou-sama saw them, he turns even hotter. Knapp is now glaring at him, completely unhappy that they were interrupted.

“Heheh, sorry I’m late!” Hikyou waves his hand after he uses sign language. “I’m here for Ketsu.”

~*~

“Where is Kawaii? Why hasn’t he shown up for the last few days?” Knapp crosses his arms.

“I’m not keeping him as a prisoner. I promise,” Hikyou says cheerfully. “He wouldn’t want it if anything were to happen to any of you…”

“Isn’t that a threat?” Gules asks boldly. 

“Oh no. He knows I wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Double God says in amusement. All he receives from the Dark Team is a skeptical look. “...With some exceptions, of course. What?”

“Didn’t you wipe out an entire planet once before?” Johnny asks as he rubs his tired eyes.

“Like I said… with some exceptions.” Hikyou gives a light chuckle. “Alright, I’m seeing the little Dark Angel over there.”

Ketsu is at the back of an empty field, closer to the spaceship. He looks startled as soon as he hears Hikyou calling him. “M-me…?”

“Yeah, you!” Hikyou waves his hand for the young Dark Angel to come. “Huh, where are your wings?”

“T-they’re still here, Hikyou-sama,” Ketsu says. As he is walking towards Hikyou, he takes off his blue wristbands. Large dark blue wings emerge from his back.

“Ketsu, it’s nice to finally meet you. Last time I saw you, you were just a toddler. Are you up for a friendly spar?” Double God asks.

“Umm…” Ketsu briefly glances back at his father, who shrugs in return. “Okay, I guess?”

Hikyou begins to stretch his legs as he asks, “Do you know why I requested to meet you here? On this uninhabited planet?”

Ketsu raises an eyebrow.

“Because we both can go all-out.” Hikyou stands back up but not without releasing the godly power for the entire Dark Team not only to sense his power but also to flinch at the sudden increase in the power level. The symbol of Double God on the area connected between his neck and shoulder is glowing and sparkling with mixture of light and darkness. What a terrifying power.

Even to the naked eyes of the Dark Team, Hikyou has vanished.

“Ke--” Knapp stops himself from yelling out his son’s name as soon as he realizes what Hikyou is about to do.

Ketsu has already blocked Hikyou’s punch with his own hand. 

Double God grins widely. 

The aftershock of the block has instantly turned the ground into a new crater underneath both of them.

“Good!” Hikyou leaps away from Dark Angel, flapping his wings, full of black and white feathers, to give himself a little more push against the air. “You’re pretty fast for your age!”

As soon as Dark Angel takes off, a large amount of an intense, raw energy that he left behind causes the crater to grow twice its size. 

The Dark Team does not expect the sudden gust of wind from Dark Angel’s blastoff but manages to keep their feet on the floor.

“W-wow!” Katja exclaims.

Hikyou smoothly and easily dodges every physical attack. As he lands a sidekick on Ketsu’s stomach, he shouts, “Are you taking this fight seriously?!”

He gives him one more kick to Dark Angel’s head, sending him through the air. They have already vanished from the Dark Team’s eyes in the distance.

Ketsu yelps as he stops himself in the air. He quickly draws his sword and then launches himself back to Hikyou. “Soul Controller!”

Two grinning souls come out of his sword only to get annihilated completely by Hikyou’s energy ball attack easily.

HIkyou swoops until he is right in Ketsu’s face. “Seriously? Have you been collecting such weak souls?!”

Ketsu tries to block Double God’s powerful fist with his own arms but he is too late. Hikyou sends him through the air once again and then goes after him until they are hovering above a large body of water.

An ocean. Ketsu can barely see the land anymore. He takes a moment to try and get his breathing rate back to normal. Or so he hopes. He does not even see Hikyou’s upcoming attack at all until it is too late.

Hikyou sends him hard into the ocean with a powerful axe kick. Hard enough to split the entire ocean in half. He narrows his green eyes in both frustration and annoyance. “Well, that’s too bad… Maybe Kawaii was too hasty for a new Dark Angel.”

A tiny bright ball of flames is being gathered together in the air in front of Hikyou. It is growing larger and larger until it is practically a sun. “It looks like I’ll have to take back the soul of Dark Angel.”

Thousands of miles away, as soon as Knapp senses Hikyou’s powerful attack, he asks nervously, “Is he fucking serious? Is he going to destroy the entire planet?”

Without Hikyou even doing anything, the enormous flaming ball starts to move towards the ocean.

Suddenly, a dark blue magical barrier appears out of nowhere, stretching in every direction enough to cover half of the huge planet. As soon as Hikyou’s attack lands on it, the most volatile, destructive, and explosive reaction follows only to be stopped and absorbed by Double God’s open palm before it can destroy the planet.

“Well, well… what is this?” Hikyou says with a little bit of excitement in his tone. His lips cannot help but tug into a small smile as soon as he realizes what it is. I honestly did not expect that he could produce Dark Angel’s Shield at such an early age.

The barrier begins to shrink until it becomes round with Ketsu still inside. The Dark Angel calmly drifts himself into the sky. During the slow flight, the barrier is slowly breaking into smaller pieces only to cling against Ketsu’s skin.

The second Ketsu makes a movement, he vanishes. Hikyou has already turned around to find him flying fast and straight, but he is a little too late to block the upcoming physical attack.

Ketsu has finally landed a hit on Double God’s face with his own fist.

Hikyou is beyond shocked at a sudden pain coming from his face. It’s been several centuries since the last time he has gotten hit. But then he reminds himself that he shouldn’t have underestimated the power of an angel. Even if it’s just a child. An angel is literally just one rank away from a god.

“Whooo!” Hikyou shouts out of excitement. “This must be your first time getting past your limit, eh? You’re really pushing me to use 5% of my power.”

Ketsu is ready to throw in his towel. There is a huge gap in their power levels. He chuckles lightly at the thought of continuing the spar-- no, it is no longer just a friendly spar. He is literally fighting for his life.

“Hikyou-sama, you’re really amazing.” Ketsu chuckles softly. “Wouldn’t you mind twerking your power down a little bit? That sun attack of yours almost destroyed the planet.”

“Right, right,” Double God laughs lightheartedly. “It’s my bad. Glad that you saved the world.”

Ketsu watches him quietly as Hikyou begins to move backward through the air. What the hell is he doing?

As soon as Hikyou charges, the clouds suddenly get blown away, leaving the sky completely blank. At the same time, he vanishes from Dark Angel’s sight.

Ketsu immediately starts scanning all around, fiercely searching for his opponent’s presence. Even just a tiny one. The problem is that Hikyou is basically everywhere. I-is he moving really fast?

He begins to notice tiny snowflakes. They are not like Earth’s snowflakes. They are much smaller, almost unseeable. He would never notice them if it wasn’t for his great sense in not only invisible energy but also even tiniest details. Still no clouds are in the sky at all.

The second he glances at a snowflake, the temperature begins to fall rapidly. Every small amount of mist is being released every time he breathes.

He suddenly senses a powerful energy. Right behind me?! He turns around fast, expecting to see Hikyou at close range only to realize that his opponent is way too far to be close range. Hundreds of yards away. He chuckles lightly at the thought of how powerful Double God is.

“Shouldn’t you be moving now?” Hikyou asks in amusement.

“Eh?” Ketsu raises an eyebrow. He tries to fly toward Double God but can’t. Because his entire body except his head is completely frozen with an enclosed ice. 

“Your detection of a life force’s presence is the worst I’ve ever seen ever since the beginning of the universe.” Hikyou smoothly glides himself over to Dark Angel. “You’re really weak.”

Doesn’t he know that I’m only 11? Ketsu scoffs at Double God’s comment. He drops his head a little bit as if he is ashamed of his lousy power. He has been training with the Dark Team, even the Universe Warrior for his entire life. If Double God is this level, how much more strong Kira can be if she defeated him back then?

He recalls that the reason why Hikyou chose this planet without any living creatures is because Double God wants to see him at full power. It’s not about how he should compare himself with a god.

He was born to protect Light and Dark Gods. The previous Dark Angel ended his own life a thousand years ago because he could not even protect them four times. Four reincarnations. That’s why he thought he was…

Weak. That word echoes from Hikyou’s voice.

One more amount of mist gets released from Ketsu’s mouth before the ice clinging to his skin begins to crack loudly until it suddenly breaks into pieces.

“Hm?” Hikyou half-smirks. His green eyes are glowing in swirling light and darkness. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Did I hurt your feelings or something?”

Ketsu launches himself towards his godly opponent, suddenly splitting the entire ocean in half once again. Within a mere second, he is already just inches away from Double God while he pulls back one of his fists.

Hikyou blocks Ketsu’s punch. He cannot help but make his grin even wider. “Is that all you got?” 

Dark Angel is already a step ahead of him. Ketsu spins around at half to get behind Hikyou, fixing to give him a powerful kick. Or so he thought.

Double God suddenly blocks his opponent’s kick with his own leg by bending down while straightening his leg up in the air. A sudden shockwave from the collision sends them apart. 

“I’m not done yet!” Hikyou exclaims as he appears right in front of Ketsu. Before Dark Angel can do anything to stop him, Hikyou gives him the hardest punch to his stomach that Ketsu has ever experienced in his life, sending him crashing through a few mountains on a far away island.

Ketsu eventually lands his back on the ground, sliding a little bit until he finally stops. He coughs out a little bit of blood and winces at the pain on his stomach where Hikyou connected his punch to. Holy shit. That really hurts.

He groans painfully as he tries to sit up. His heart begins to race as soon as he begins to sense Hikyou’s presence everywhere in his surroundings once again. 

When Hikyou gets closer to Ketsu, dark blue magic begins to leak out of Ketsu’s body. It’s probably caused by fear but Hikyou isn’t going to let him use it. He doesn’t want to be discovered just yet.

He easily lands dozens of physical attacks, both punches and kicks, on Ketsu the second he gets up. Dark Angel clumsily throws a punch but Hikyou easily grabs his arm and throws him over, slamming him on the ground hard.

All of a sudden, Ketsu yells loudly. His Dark Angel’s Shield engulfs him completely, but it only takes Hikyou’s three powerful punches before it breaks completely. Smirking widely, Hikyou throws a fourth punch.

Ketsu dodges it finally.

Good… He’s learning how to sense and detect a godly presence. Every time he gets hurt, he heals insanely fast. Probably faster than the previous Dark Angel. He still has a few years left before Light and Dark Gods awaken though. Hikyou easily leaps away from Ketsu. He takes a quick deep breath as he looks at his hands, which are shaking a little bit. At this rate I’m already running out of dark and light energies. It’s faster than I thought. This kid is really something.

Dark Angel is running towards him with a determined look on his face.

He’s not done yet? Hikyou sweatdrops as he chuckles lightheartedly. 

They both throw punches at each other. When they connect, the ground below them turns into a crater instantly. The more they land their attacks, the crater grows larger and larger.

Hikyou is starting to feel that he is getting overpowered. He notices Ketsu’s intense look in his dark brown eyes, shivering at how determined they look. He quickly stomps his foot on the deep crater, suddenly opening up a black portal.

“What the--” Ketsu yelps as he falls into the portal.

~*~

Ketsu doesn’t know how long he has been falling through the black void. Or is he just floating rather than falling? 

W-what is this place? He glances around at the pure darkness. He is trying to sense any presence.

But nothing at all.

It feels eternity but he eventually sees a small light. The closer he gets the brighter the light becomes. The darkness feels very cold but the light brings warmth.

“Darkness. Light. Which will you choose?”

“Huh? Who said that?” Ketsu asks as he looks around, trying to find the source of a familiar voice.

“Whichever you choose says that.”

I don’t get it. Ketsu scratches his head in confusion. He takes a peek at the light one more time. But why? Why did Hikyou-sama send me here? Is it another test? Or training?

“Sigh… You think too much.”

I can’t choose. To me, they are the same. “Why not both?” Ketsu asks. He can feel a smile from an invisible being. 

“You can choose both if you want to. But what are they to you if both?”

Ketsu pauses for a little bit. How is it the hardest yet easiest to answer?

“They can’t survive without each other. Together, they blossom with balance and hope,” He says simply with a small smile. “The universe wouldn’t exist without darkness and light.”

A tall figure with dark blue wings begins to materialize right in front of him. He eerily looks very similar to Ketsu yet does feel different. Somehow Ketsu knows right away.

“You are Dark Angel.”

Dark Angel smiles at the pre-teen. The only differences between them are their hair style and height. His black hair is really long and can reach past his bottom a little bit, locked up in a thin ponytail. “That’s right, Ketsu. You’re my reincarnation… with my original soul.”

Why am I feeling sad? Is it because of him? Ketsu softens his face. “When you died, you were sad.”

Dark Angel’s smile fades away. “I was.”

“Why?”

“Because I was weak.”

~*~

Ketsu blinks once only to find himself back lying on the large crater.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Hikyou gives an exhausted sigh. He flashes a big grin at him as he reaches his hand out for the young Dark Angel, helping him to get up. “You’re truly amazing!”

He raises an eyebrow. “Huh? Why are you crying?”

Ketsu does not even realize that he is tearing up until Hikyou points it out. He quickly wipes away his tears. “Nothing. I just had a dream, I think. So, why did we stop fighting?”

Hikyou laughs lightheartedly. “Because we could have destroyed the planet!”

There are several large craters all over the planet. Dozens of mountains are split in half. There are more whirlpools in the ocean than usual because they fell into it a couple of times. Strong thunderstorms and tornados are already being formed. 

“Right.” Ketsu joins Hikyou’s laughter. 

~*~

With their wings, Hikyou and Ketsu return to the Dark Team impatiently waiting for them.

“As thanks for your patience…” Double God snaps his fingers, making Kawaii suddenly appear. “Here he is.”

Kawaii runs and hides behind Knapp. He angrily sticks out his tongue at Hikyou. “I hate you!”

“So, how did he do?” Knapp asks, already knowing the outcome.

“It's… progress,” Hikyou says. “He landed just one hit on me, which was impressive. But it was because I underestimated him.”

“Yeah, he is way too strong!” Ketsu exclaims. “I had fun… except the times I got hurt.”

“His power and self-healing ability are out of this world though,” Hikyou says. “He’s perfect as the shield for Light and Dark Gods. After all, he was born to be their shield.”

“Excuse me?” Knapp frowns. “I really hope I didn’t hear you just say that.”

“Technically he’s correct,” Kawaii says. “The Angels serve and protect the Gods. They’re that powerful.”

“But he’s 11.”

“In 10 years, Light and Dark Gods will be awakened,” Hikyou says. “Kira has been looking for them… and me as well. We don’t have time to waste.”

“So, it’s just like that?” Knapp throws his arms in the air. “You’re taking Ketsu away?”

“With Katja,” Hikyou corrects him.

“Both of my kids! Are you even joking?”

“Katja is the only one seer in the universe,” Hikyou says. “In a few decades, we will need her on Earth. Don’t you remember how Jikan used time travelling because Earth would be destroyed in the future?”

Knapp clenches his jaw in frustration, trying not to say another word. He knows Hikyou is right. 

“Fine,” He says bitterly. “I will ask my brother if he can take them in.”

Ketsu and Katja both frown at their father’s answer. He is not even going to fight for them at all? What have they been training for all those years for?

“Ryu and Tezuka are still on Earth,” Kawaii joins the conversation. “Aren’t they strong enough to look over the Gods?”

“We already had the conversation,” Hikyou says. “They’re only mortals. They are not going to be able to protect them forever. Light and Dark Gods need Dark Angel.”

“But Ketsu and Katja have been thriving under the care of the Dark Team… right?” Kawaii turns to Knapp and other team members with hope in his eyes.

“I think they learned everything from us,” Knapp says softly. “We have nothing more to teach. Ketsu proved to us that he can match opponents much more powerful than the enemies we had faced so far. He was the one who took down Eclipse- if it wasn’t for him, we would have been goners. Katja inherited her mother’s unique power as a seer. With Tezuka climbing up the ladder in the political field, he can help her get in and she can possibly prevent the doomed future that Jikan experienced.”

“Listen to yourselves,” Katja snaps. “You’re talking about us as if we were invisible. Why can’t we just decide our own fates?”

“Yeah. Did you seriously think we’d gladly leave right away?” Ketsu asks.

“Take the kids to Earth, whether you like it or not. Whether they like it or not,” Hikyou says coldly all of a sudden, directed to both Knapp and Kawaii. He creates a new portal right next to himself. “I’m out of time. I’m returning to Heaven so I can conserve a little bit of my remaining energy.”

“Whatever,” Ketsu says as soon as Hikyou leaves through the portal. Katja follows after him without saying a single word.

“Now what?” Johnny asks sleepily after Jade has already interpreted almost everything to Logy.

“I don’t know.” Knapp shakes his head. “Even if the kids didn’t want to leave us, Hikyou will just force them to- one way or another. Nothing we can do at this point.”

“We will challenge Hikyou one day. But it’s not the right time now,” Kawaii adds. “His power is just… entirely otherworld. Way out of our league. Not even Ketsu’s power is close enough.”

~*~

In the end, they have no choice but to take Ketsu and Katja to Earth a few weeks later. Knapp’s younger brother, Ryu, is more than happy to take them in.

“How’s Tezuka?” Knapp asks curiously while Ryu’s wife, Rosa, is giving Ketsu and Katja a brief tour.

“He’s doing great. He’s a Senator now.” Ryu chuckles lightly. “I’m still working my way up the ranks in the Army, but I’m also looking to get a transfer to the First Division.”

“Damn, it won’t be long before he can run for President.” Knapp smiles. He claps his hand together as he bows his head a little bit. “I’m so sorry but we have to go.”

“You’re not going to say goodbye to your kids?”

“I love them, but they wouldn’t even talk to me on the entire trip. I don’t think they want to see me anymore anyway.”